India reaffirms support for Maldives' defence preparedness
Ghassan's visit follows a visit by Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel earlier this month.
India on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to strengthening the Maldives’ defence capabilities, including the provision of defence equipment and personnel training.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed this commitment during a bilateral meeting with Maldivian Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon held in New Delhi.
According to a statement by the Indian Ministry of Defence, the two ministers reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence and security cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to the ‘India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership,’ announced in October last year during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India.
The partnership includes multi-faceted defence cooperation such as joint training programs, regular military exercises, workshops, and the provision of defence equipment to enhance the operational capabilities of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
India’s support extends to funding the ‘Ekatha’ harbour project at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF), a key initiative for the MNDF. The project aims to improve maritime security infrastructure, enabling better surveillance and monitoring capabilities. As part of this initiative, India has committed to supplying radar systems and other critical equipment to the Maldives.
India is also focusing on capacity-building efforts, including enhanced training opportunities for the MNDF, the Maldives Police Service (MPS), and other security agencies. These initiatives aim to strengthen the Maldives’ ability to address maritime and security challenges.
The Maldives, with its expansive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), faces various security threats in the Indian Ocean Region, such as piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and terrorism. Addressing these challenges is critical for the security and development of both nations.
The Maldivian Defence Minister’s visit to India, from January 8–10, marks the third high-profile engagement between the two countries in three months. It follows a visit by Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel earlier this month.
